Chris Hemsworth and his brothers, Liam and Luke, are often seen as the ideal Australian family. They’ve become well-known and loved for representing positive, down-to-earth, and hardworking values.
The three siblings have often said growing up in the harsh but beautiful Outback of the Northern Territory instilled in them a love for sports, a commitment to staying fit, and a down-to-earth attitude.
I’ve always been fascinated by Chris – he truly lives life on his own terms. Whether it’s going barefoot everywhere or choosing to live in a place like Byron Bay, he just does what feels right to him. He’s explained that growing up in a pretty unique way really shaped how he sees the world, and it definitely shows!
Chris has shared that he grew up in a remote part of the Northern Territory with his family, and he fondly remembers it as a happy time in his childhood.
Okay, so everyone sees Chris as this amazing, successful actor, right? But honestly, digging a little deeper, his family story is…intense. It’s not all sunshine and roses. I was shocked when I found out about his uncle-in-law, Rod Ansell. He was a total legend back home, a real folk hero, but then… things went horribly wrong. He ended up becoming a cop killer! It’s just…wow. It’s a side of Chris’ life that people don’t really talk about, but it’s fascinating and, honestly, a little heartbreaking to learn about.
Rod was a well-known and popular figure in the past. He was married to Joanne van Os, who is Chris’s aunt and the sister of Chris’s mother, Leonie.
In 1977, a man known as a bushman, who lived traditionally without shoes, became a national hero after surviving in the wilderness. His incredible story went on to inspire the hugely popular Australian film *Crocodile Dundee*, which became the country’s highest-grossing movie ever.
However, 22 years later, the same man became known for a tragic event: a violent shooting in the Northern Territory, fueled by drugs. This resulted in the death of a highly respected police officer and ultimately led to Ansell being shot and killed by police.
It was a shocking fall from grace, one that left scars on both the Hemsworth clan and the nation.
This Daily Mail investigation reveals the story of an uncle to three famous Australian personalities – a man who went from being a well-known and admired figure to a notorious criminal who killed a police officer.
From bush legend to reluctant Celebrity
In 1977, Rod Ansell became nationally known after surviving nearly two months stranded in the Northern Territory. The 22-year-old’s boat capsized on the crocodile-filled Fitzmaurice River, located 280 kilometers south of Darwin.
Using just a rifle, two puppies, and some canned food, he relied on his strong survival instincts to live in the wilderness. He hunted buffalo for food, even drinking their blood to stay hydrated, and slept in trees to avoid dangerous animals.
Once word got out about what he’d been through, Ansell quickly became famous across the country. His experience was documented in a book and a film called ‘To Fight the Wild,’ and people loved his down-to-earth personality and adventurous spirit, making him a popular guest on talk shows.
In 1981, Ansell appeared on Michael Parkinson’s talk show in Sydney, sharing his incredible story with many more people.
During his interview, Ansell revealed he’d been sleeping on the floor of his hotel room and explained this to Parkinson.
Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! Remember in *Crocodile Dundee* when Hogan’s character is in that fancy New York hotel? Well, apparently Paul Hogan himself – the actual Mick Dundee! – had the *same* experience! He was totally baffled by a bidet! I read that when he first saw it, he had no clue what it was for, just like in the movie! It’s just…amazing! He was as confused as his character! I’m telling you, life imitates art!
Similar to Hogan’s character, Ansell was welcomed by the Indigenous people of Arnhem Land and became fluent in the Urapunga language.
After the film ‘Crocodile Dundee’ was released, people began contacting Ansell, pointing out the parallels between his life and the movie. He later felt resentful that the filmmakers didn’t acknowledge his contributions or offer him any payment.
Released in 1986 with a budget of under $10 million, Crocodile Dundee became a huge box office success, earning over $300 million worldwide.
A Hemsworth by marriage
As Ansell became well-known, he met Joanne van Os, who worked as a radio operator in a distant Aboriginal community. They married in 1977 and later had two sons.
I often talk about the power of networking, and a great example of that in my experience is how connections can lead to incredible things. I met Joanne, and through her, I got to know the Hemsworth family. It turns out Joanne’s sister, Leonie, raised three sons who all became major stars in Hollywood – it just goes to show you never know where a simple connection might lead!
While Chris and his brothers were still children, Ansell was already an outback legend.
While the Hemsworth brothers enjoyed a happy childhood and discovered their love for acting, things were falling apart for Ansell at the same time.
The Hemsworth brothers have sometimes talked about their Uncle Rod, but they’ve never shared details about how he died.
Luke Hemsworth revealed in a 2017 HuffPost interview that his uncle served as the inspiration behind the famous Mick Dundee character.
Luke explained that many people influenced the story, including his uncle, Rod Ansell. Ansell, who is well-known, was married to Luke’s mother’s sister and is considered a major inspiration for the narrative, Luke said.
A bitter decline
By the 1990s, Ansell’s life had become chaotic. He lost his cattle ranch after a difficult legal battle with the Northern Territory government over land ownership.
His marriage collapsed in 1992, and he turned increasingly to drugs.
He used to be known for his toughness and ability to survive in difficult situations, but he later developed a heavy cannabis habit and then started using amphetamines. Friends and family noticed he became increasingly paranoid.
He was obsessed with the idea that Freemasons had taken his children and firmly believed he was being pursued by sinister forces.
The man, once known for his strength and ability to overcome hardship, was gradually overtaken by addiction and lost touch with reality.
A tragic end
On August 2, 1999, Ansell’s descent reached its tragic climax.
He attacked a caravan south of Darwin using a rifle and shotgun, and the following morning, he ambushed a police roadblock.
Sergeant Glen Huitson, a respected father of two, was shot dead.
Senior Constable James O’Brien, a colleague of Ansell’s, fired back, and after a fierce five-minute shootout, Ansell was killed. He was 44 years old.
Australians were shocked and confused to learn that a popular, playful bushman – a national hero known for his wit – was responsible for such a disturbing act, something that seemed totally out of character for him.
Even now, it’s still a mystery why Ansell chose to confront the police instead of simply using his survival skills to get away.
An investigation showed the man was experiencing a severe, drug-induced psychosis caused by long-term amphetamine use, meaning he wasn’t able to think rationally at the time.
Australians were stunned to discover that the beloved outback man, once famous for his simple, natural ways, had committed a violent crime while under the influence of drugs.
Chris’ aunt Joanne experienced another devastating loss in 1999 when her sixteen-year-old daughter, Ali, tragically died in a boating accident while in Phuket, Thailand.
For the Hemsworth brothers, Ansell’s death was both a personal and public tragedy.
Although the family doesn’t often discuss it, his story is still remembered – a testament to the fact that even seemingly perfect families in Australia can experience deep sadness.
In 2018, Chris playfully acted as if he were starring in a new version of the movie Crocodile Dundee for a New South Wales tourism advertisement.
Even though there was a striking resemblance between Chris’s uncle and the famous character, Chris never spoke about his uncle in interviews.
Chris hasn’t often spoken publicly about Ansell, but in a 2011 interview with Frank Lovece, he shared a childhood memory of being in Bulman – the same place where Ansell died – recalling crocodiles and buffalo. This was the closest he’s come to directly referencing the location and Ansell’s death.
Chris, Liam, and Luke have all achieved significant success in Hollywood, making their mother, Leonie, and the entire Van Os family very proud.
As someone who’s always been fascinated by the stories behind success, I’ve come across some truly remarkable – and sometimes tragic – figures. The story of Rod Ansell is one of those. He was the uncle of a very famous Australian, and played a key role in inspiring that person’s journey, but sadly, his own life ended in a very dark and violent way. It’s a reminder that even those connected to greatness can face incredibly difficult circumstances.
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2025-09-28 09:20